External structure is the major swing high and low that define the current leg or range on your chosen timeframe. Internal structure is the smaller swings that form inside that leg.
How traders use it: A break of internal structure can signal a pullback ending; a break of external structure is the bigger statement about trend.
Common mistake: Mixing the two, for example calling a minor internal break a trend reversal.
Related: Swing high / swing low · Change of character (CHoCH) / market structure shift (MSS) · Multi-timeframe alignment
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Concepts only. Education only, not financial advice. No pattern on this site has a published win rate.